Top 10 Fashion Design Colleges in India

Top 10 Fashion Design Colleges in India

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Sayeba
Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager
Updated on Oct 10, 2025 16:26 IST

Want to join a fashion design college? Find out the top 10 fashion design schools in India, their list of courses, and how you can secure admission to them. Scroll on for more details.

Top Design Colleges

Top Design Colleges

The best way to meet the right people and establish a career in this field is by joining a good fashion design institute. However, owing to the ever-growing demand for this course, more and more fashion design training institutes are opening up. Thus, in such a scenario, it is advisable to know which institutes/ colleges offer the best training and education in this field.

To help aspirants, Shiksha has compiled a list of the best fashion design colleges in the country, as per the India Today Ranking 2025. Below, aspirants can find detailed information about the top 10 fashion design colleges in India.

Q:   Can I get admission in IIT Hyderabad with 100 merit rank in UCEED 2025?
A:
The closing rank for IIT Hyderabad in 2022 was 43. So, if you secure a merit rank of 3 in the UCEED 2024 exam, you chances of admission to the B. Des will be very low. To have a good chance of admission into the institute, you must target a UCEED 2024 merit rank within the top 40. However, note that if you belong to reserved categories, in that case the cut-off would be lower. Further, you will be considered for admission under both the reserved category and open category.
Q:   What are NIFT Score accepting colleges other than participating colleges?
A:

There are 19 NIFTs that will accept NIFT 2026 Scores for admission purposes. These institutes are known as participating colleges.

However, in addition to the participating colleges, there are other private colleges that will also consider NIFT 2026 scores for admission to their UG and PG design courses. The candidates are urged to go through the list of result-sharing institutes.

Q:   What are the various NIFT rank lists released by the National Institute of Fashion Technology?
A:
The National Institute of Fashion Technology will release category wise merit lists. These includes the Common Merit Rank (CMR), GEN EWS Rank List, OBC NCL Rank List, SC Rank List, ST Rank List, CMR PwD List, OBC NCL PwD Rank List, SC PwD Rank List, and ST PwD Rank list. The general category candidate will not be considered for admission under reserved category seats. However, candidates belonging to reserved categories will also be considered for admission under the CMR category. Note that the candidate had to select their category at the time of filling out the NIFT 2023 application form.
Table of content
  • Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2025 - India Today Rankings
  • Top Fashion Design Colleges in India - Previous Year Ranking (India Today Rankings)
  • Top Colleges of Design and Courses Offered

Top Fashion Design Colleges in India 2025 - India Today Rankings

The top fashion design colleges are:

2025 Rank India Today Ranking 2024 Rank India Today Ranking Institute Name
1 1 NIFT, New Delhi
2 3 NIFT, Bengaluru
3 2 NIFT, Mumbai
4 4 NIFT, Hyderabad
5 5 NIFT, Chennai
6 8 NIFT, Patna
6 6 NIFT, Gandhinagar
8 7 NIFT, Kolkata
9 10 NIFT, Jodhpur
10 9 Pearl Academy, New Delhi
11 11 NIFT, Kannur
12 12 Symbiosis Institute of Design
13 14 NIFT, Raebareli
14 15 NIFT, Shillong
15 16 Army Institute of Fashion Design
16 17 NIFT, Kangra
17 18 Pearl Academy, Jaipur
18 20 Amity School, Noida
19 21 Pearl Academy, Mumbai
20 23 Amity School, Lucknow
21 22 NIFT-TEA, Tiruppur
22 25 WUD, School of Fashion
23 NP Amity School, Kolkata
24 26 IMS Design & Innovation Academy
25 30 Amity School, Mumbai

Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates

SAT Registration Deadline for ...

18 Oct '25

UCEED 2026 Application DATE

1 Oct '25 - 31 Oct '25

SEED 2026 Online registration ...

1 Aug '25 - 30 Nov '25

NID DAT 2026 Registration Date

11 Sep '25 - 1 Dec '25

IIAD 2026 - Application

1 Sep '25 - 7 Dec '25

KALSEE 2026 Application Form S...

1 Jan '26

NIFT 2026 application form OPE...

22 Nov '25 - 6 Jan '26

CT SET 2024 Application Form

28 Feb '26

SMEAT 2026 Application Form Da...

15 Dec '25 - 15 Mar '26

GLS DAT 2026 Application Last Date

1 Sep '25 - 15 Jan '26

Top Fashion Design Colleges in India - Previous Year Ranking (India Today Rankings)

The following table shows the previous year's ranking given by India Today:

Name of the Institute

India Today Ranking 2024

India Today 2023 Ranking

India Today 2022 Ranking

India Today 2021 Ranking

NIFT Delhi

1

1

1

1

NIFT Mumbai

2

2

2

2

NIFT Bangalore

3

3

3

3

NIFT Chennai

5

4

4

4

NIFT Gandhinagar

6

6

5

6

NIFT Patna

8

7

6

5

NIFT Hyderabad

5

5

7

7

NIFT Kolkota

7

8

8

8

Pearl Academy New Delhi

9

9

9

9

NIFT Jodhpur

10

10

-

-

Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune

12

11

10

10

NIFT Raebareli

14

14

11

11

Army Institute of Fashion and Design

16

15

12

13

NIFT Kannur

11

13

13

-

NIFT Shillong 

15

16

14

12

NIFT Bhubaneswar

13

12

15

-

Pearl Academy Jaipur

18

18

16

14

NIFT Kangra

17

17

17

16

JD Institute of Fashion Technology

19

20

18

17

Amity Institute of Fashion Technology, Noida

20

19

19

15

NIFT TEA

22

22

20

18

Vogue Institute of Art and Design

-

26

22

23

MKSSSs School of Fashion Technology Pune

28

-

23

19

Pearl Academy Mumbai

-

23

24

24

Amity School of Fashion Technology, Lucknow

-

24

25

28

Fashion and Apparel Design, T.John College

-

 28

26

22

PSG College of Arts and Science

-

 29

27

27

IMS Design and Innovation Academy 

-

 27

28

25

Whistling Woods International, Mumbai

-

 -

29

26

Department of Fashion Technology, Sona College of Technology, Salem

-

 30

30

-

BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar

-

 33

31

-

J.D.Birla Institute, Kolkota

-

31 

32

-

Nehru Arts and Science College, Comibatore

-

32 

33

-

Rathinam College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore

-

34

34

-

The Oxford College of Science, Bengaluru

-

41 

35

-

Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar

-

40 

36

-

Hindusthan College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore

-

37 

37

-

Dr.N.G.P Arts and Science College, Coimbatore

-

38

-

Sri Krishna Arts and Science College, Coimbatore

-

43

39

-

Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore

-

39

40

-

Bon Secours College of Women, Thanjavur

-

46

41

-

Department of Fashion and Textiles IIS, Jaipur

-

42

-

Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Jalandhar

-

44

43

-

Dr. SNS Rajalakshmi College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore

-

45

44

-

Department of Costume Design & Fashion Kongu Arts and Science College, Erode

-

47

45

-

IIFT College of Fashion, Bengaluru

-

48

46

-

Department of Fashion Designing Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya Chandrapur, Chandrapur

-

49

47

-

School of Design JECRC University, Jaipur

-

42

48

-

K.S.R. College of Arts and Science for Women, Namakkal

-

51

49

-

Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar

-

 -

-

20

Manipal School of Architecture and Planning

-

 -

-

21

Axis Institute of Fashion Technology

-

 -

-

29

North India Institute of Fashion Technology

-

 -

-

30

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Top Colleges of Design and Courses Offered

The following are some of the top colleges for Designing.

NIFT Delhi

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

It was established in 1986 by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFT), Delhi, was set up in technical collaboration with the FIT, New York. NIFT Delhi is one of the best design colleges in the country, and it has its head office in New Delhi.

As per the official website, NIFT Delhi offers regular as well as Continuing Education (CE) programmes to students. The design school also has the oldest and richest Resource Centre, containing massive collections of print and non-print materials.

Q:   What is the NIFT closing rank for admission to NIFT Panchkula?
A:
The cut-off for NIFT Panchkula is released category and programme-wise. So, candidates seeking admission to a particular programme need to consult the cut-off in their reserved or open category. For the year 2022, the opening CMR of Dom. OBC category for the Fashion communication was 6023; the closing CMR was 6414. The opening CMR for admission to the Fashion Design course was 5182, while the closing CMR was 5298. Meanwhile, for the M.Des programme, both the opening and closing CMR for the Dom. OBC category was 528. Note that CMR stands for common merit rank.
Q:   How many seats are sanctioned for the Masters programme through NIFT?
A:
The Masters programs at NIFT (M. Des, M. F. Tech, and MFM) has a combined intake capacity of 1034 seats. The General Ability Test (GAT) is common for all courses, while candidates seeking admission to the M. Des programme also need to appear in the Creative Ability Test (CAT). The final merit list for admission to the M. Des programme will be prepared by giving weightage to the CAT, GAT and Interview. Meanwhile, the merit list for the M. F. Tech and M. F. M programs will be prepared by considering the performance of the candidate in the GAT and Interview. The candidate can select their programme of study at the time of filling out the NIFT application form. Note that the allotment of seats will be as per the merit rank of the candidate.
Q:   What is the seat intake for the BDes and BFTech programme at NIFT Bengaluru?
A:

NIFT Bengaluru has 190 BDes and 38 BFTech seats. NIFT Bengaluru is one of the leading fashion design colleges in India. The admission cut-off for the institute tends to be higher, so the candidate must have a high merit rank to have a good chance of admission. Admission to both the BDes and BFTech courses at the institute will be conducted on the basis of the merit rank of the candidate in the NIFT 2023 exam. Candidates seeking admission to the BDes programme need to appear in the CAT GAT and Situation Test. However, BFTech applicants only need to take the GAT exam.

NIFT Delhi has notable alumni, such as Rohit Bal, Ritu Beri, Manish Arora and the like. Aspirants can learn more about famous Indian fashion designers and how they achieved success.

Courses offered at NIFT Delhi:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BDes Knitwear Design

BDes Leather Design

BFTech in Apparel Production

BDesign (Lateral Entry)

UG Diploma

Master of Design (MDes)

Master of Fashion Management (MFM)

Master of Fashion Technology (MFTech)

Certificate Courses

PhD Programmes in Design

NIFT Mumbai

NIFT Mumbai

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

It is considered to be the second-best Fashion Design institute in the country. NIFT Mumbai was established in 1995. The infrastructure of the college is top-notch and equipped to cater to all the requirements of fashion design courses.

The college has highly trained faculty with strong industry connections and offers employment opportunities to aspirants across all NIFT centres. 

Courses offered at NIFT Mumbai:

BDes Fashion Design BDes Accessory Design
BDes Textile Design BDes Knitwear Design
BDes Fashion Communication BFTech Apparel Production
MDes MFM

NIFT Bengaluru

NIFT Bengaluru

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

Considered to be one of the best fashion design schools in the country, NIFT Bengaluru’s campus is fully equipped with lecture rooms, resource centres, design studios and labs, gym, hostels and activity centres.

As per the official website, NIFT Bengaluru has signed MOUs with various member institutes of IFFTI. Some of the prominent ones being Hogeskolan I Boras, Sweden; Birmingham School of Art & Design, UK and RMIT, Australia, etc.

Top recruiters who visit NIFT Bengaluru for campus placements are 99 Labels, Cairon, Dhananjai Apparels Pvt Ltd, Fine Stitches, Alok Industries, Pure Earth Pvt Ltd, ITC Infotech, Pal Fashions and Vintage Shades.

Courses offered at NIFT Bengaluru:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Knitwear Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BDes Leather Design

BDesign (Lateral Entry)

BFTech Apparel Production

MFM

MFTech

MDes

Certificate courses

NIFT Chennai

NIFT Chennai

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

This fashion design college offers state-of-the-art facilities to its students. The campus of NIFT Chennai is such that students and faculty members have access to the inner courtyard and outer courtyard that is attached with a table tennis court, basketball court, badminton court and a gymnasium.

Students are offered (broadband) wi-fi internet facility round the clock. Also, students are offered free shuttle service for industrial visits.

Courses Offered at NIFT Chennai:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Leather Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Knitwear Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BFTech Apparel Production

MFM

MFTech

UG Diploma

PG Diploma

-

NIFT Patna

NIFT Patna

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

Established in June 2008, NIFT Patna initially operated out of its transit campus that was located at Udyog Bhavan, Gandhi Maidan at Patna. However, in 2014, the design college started classes from its permanent campus situated at Mithapur Farms, Patna.

NIFT Patna’s campus includes - Accessory Design Lab, 3D Printer, Photography Studio, Mac Lab, Garment Construction Lab, Pattern Making Lab, Textile Design Studio, Textile Testing Lab, Digital Studios and IT Labs and Weaving Studio.

Courses offered at NIFT Patna:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BDesign (Lateral Entry)

BFTech 

MFM

Certificate courses

NIFT Gandhinagar

NIFT Gandhinagar

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

Established in 1995 as a temporary campus, NIFT Gandhinagar was later allotted an area of 20,000 sq mts for a permanent campus.

NIFT Gandhinagar’s permanent campus became operational in 2004. Thereafter, the fashion design college was allotted an additional area of 10,000 sq m to build the girls’ hostel, the director’s bungalow, as well as the staff quarters. The hotel can accommodate up to 202 students on twin twin-sharing basis.

Courses offered at NIFT Gandhinagar:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BFTech

MFTech

MFM

Certificate courses

NIFT Hyderabad

[India Today Rank 2021: 7]

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

The foundation stone of NIFT Hyderabad was laid in 1995. Initially, NIFT Hyderabad operated from Chenetha Bhavan, Nampally, Hyderabad. In 1999, NIFT Hyderabad was shifted to Madhapur, where the design school was spread over an area of five acres.

The architectural grandeur, as well as the aesthetic appeal of NIFT Hyderabad’s campus, is widely admired by one and all. Hostel facility at NIFT Hyderabad is offered only to girls, and that too on a first-come-first-serve basis. There are up to 238 rooms in the hostel. No hostel facility is offered to boys.

Courses Offered at NIFT Hyderabad:

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Knitwear Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Fashion Communication

BFTech

MFM

-

NIFT Kolkata

NIFT Kolkata

Admission Through: NIFT Entrance Exam

Established in 1995, NIFT Kolkata was initially located at Manjusha Bhavan, Salt Lake. NIFT Kolkata shifted to its five-acre campus at Salt Lake in 1999. NIFT is among the five oldest National Institutes of Fashion Technology in India.

Facilities offered to students at NIFT Kolkata include three conference halls, 44 classrooms, fully equipped labs, 3D printers, a laser cutting machine, an ETON overhead material carrying system, a Shima Seiki computerised knitting machine, digital tablets, a digital printing machine, and soft body dress forms. Apart from this, the Resource Centre at NIFT Kolkata houses over 15,000 books and has a huge material collection which includes fabric swatches, traditional costumes, fashion garments, as well as textiles and accessories

Courses offered at NIFT Kolkata:

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Leather Design

BDes Accessory Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Knitwear Design

BFTech Apparel Production

BDes Fashion Communication

BDesign (Lateral Entry)

MFM

Certificate courses

Pearl Academy New Delhi

Pearl Academy, New Delhi

Admission Through: Pearl Academy Entrance Exam

Established in 1993 by the Little People Education Society and registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, Pearl Academy of Fashion was initially promoted by an Indian export house known by the name of House of Pearl Fashions Ltd.

Pearl Academy’s first campus was located at Okhla, South Delhi, but later the college moved to a much larger campus in West Delhi’s Naraina.

At Pearl Academy, aspirants can pursue an International Bachelor’s Degree or an Indian Bachelor’s Degree. Pearl Academy facilitates admission of students in courses offered at the University of Derby, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and Torrens University, Australia.

Courses offered at Pearl Academy, New Delhi:

BA Fashion Design

BA Fashion Styling and Image Design

BA Fashion Media Communication

BA Interior Architecture & Design

BA Interior Product Design

BA Fashion Business Management

BA Fashion Marketing and Retail Management

BA Branding and Advertising Management

BA Luxury Brand Management

BA Jewellery Design

BA Communication Design (choice of four pathways: Experience Design, Graphic Design & Advertising, Interactive Media Design and Film & Animation)

PG Course in Accessory Design

PG Course in Communication Design

PG Course in Interior Design & Styling

PG Course in Product Design

Click here to view Pearl Academy, New Delhi courses.

Symbiosis Institute of Design

Symbiosis Institute of Design

Admission Through: SEED

Established in 2006, Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune, is spread over an area of 80,000 sq ft. The official website informs that “The campus of Symbiosis Institute of Design at Viman Nagar houses state-of-the-art design studios, laboratories, workshops, IT infrastructure, rapid prototyping lab, well-equipped classrooms, library, exhibition areas, seminar hall, conference hall, etc. The campus also has an amphitheatre, an ultra-modern auditorium and an academic plaza for various activities, including design shows. The entire campus is Wi-Fi enabled”.

As per the official website, students from SID, Pune have been hired at firms such as “Infosys, Autoline Industries Ltd, Cognizant Ltd, Whirlpool, Mudra Communications, etc. Students have also been absorbed by small and medium-scale enterprises such as Elephant Design, Fitch Design, Onio Design, Leaf Design, and several design corners.

Courses Offered at SID:

BDes Communication Design

BDes Industrial Design

BDes Fashion Design

BDes Textile Design

BDes Fashion Communication

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Comments

(8)

r

rahul chandna

4 years ago

Fee structure of all these colleges?

Reply to rahul chandna

A

Aasish Kumar

7 years ago

Hi, Please add Gurukul School of Design Jaipur into your list. The Gurukul School of Fashion Design, one of the best fashion designing colleges in India is located in Jaipur with an integrated infrastructure to ensure that our students are taught a 360-degree approach to design that goes hand-in-ha

Reply to Aasish Kumar

K

KAJAL KUMARI

7 years ago

Hello. I Kajal kumari, I have complete my B.A.( Hons) in 2017. I want to do fashion design. how to apply ?

Reply to KAJAL KUMARI

H

Harshita pal

8 years ago

There is the compulsory to give the entrance or any other exam for taking admission in fashion designing college.

Reply to Harshita pal

p

prakshi sidhu

8 years ago

What are the options other than nift, as i didnt appear in nift first round exam

Reply to prakshi sidhu